Michael Dunn has long been one
of my favorite builders. While his specialty is Maccaferri-style
guitars, constructed with all possible combinations of woods, he has
also made archtops, Weissenborn-style Hawaiian guitars and also lots of
Knutsen-inspired instruments. Of the latter, one of his favorites
(he has built many dozens) is the little hollow arm harp ukulele. (For
the uninitiated, they are called "harp ukes" as they emulate the Knutsen
harp guitars, even though they have no extra strings)
Best of all is when Michael
designs and builds the instruments that Knutsen never made himself (but
we wish he would have!). Harp tenor guitars, Harp multi-string lap
steels, and harp ukes in all sizes - including this concert size
instrument (all of Knutsen's were sopranos).
I've been vicariously enjoying
each instrument Michael has built over the years, and have been asking
him for a harp ukulele to offer since I opened Harp Guitar Music.
He finally had an extra, and I grabbed it. Rumor has it that
Michael may be retiring before too long...hopefully this isn't his last
harp uke.
Another Dunn "trademark" is
that each instrument is completely unique, and Michael relishes finding
different woods to incorporate into his creations. The headstock
veneers on this one are a case in point - so exotic that Michael has no
idea himself what it is! (He tells me that "the headplates are made
from an unidentified wood...possibly from Borneo. It is not Cocobolo.")
The rest of the instrument is all koa with modern rope binding, and a
walnut neck.
Price has been reduced on this
instrument from $1250 to $1100 due to minor scratching and marks within
the French polish finish (as you can see from the photos, all but
impossible to see unless light hits it in just the right way).
Sorry, no case - but you're
going to want it displayed on the wall anyway, right?!
-Gregg Miner, the "harp guitar pope"
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